Left Gasping

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Dale | 129 Comments

It’s Quadrille Monday on dVerse today and De Jackson (aka WhimsyGizmo) is hosting. The word (or variation thereof) today is “Gasp”. It’s all Merril’s fault that I went where I did and not where I thought I would.

So, passage to “my” willow not so great

Between the mounds and the slush

Blue skies

Friends, south of the 49th

leave me gasping

their purple crocus and

yellow daffodils

blooming since February!

Here?

Sun shines, sometimes;

just above freezing, occasionally

bicycle path partially clear, for now

first run of the year

Gasping, I push on

Spring is coming, right?

Weekend Writing Prompt #154 – Fabric

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Dale | 102 Comments

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments. Thank you, Sammi for this great challenge!

April is a Fickle Month

Spring! Oh, beautiful Spring! You are here at last!

Flora is coming to life

Birds are singing and squirrels are frolicking

This April day filled with sunshine and blue skies

Fools us into thinking warm days are here

“En avril ne te découvre pas d’un fil”

goes the French proverb

Which means, literally

In April, do not remove a thread (of clothing)

Much as we wish to divest ourselves

of our many layers

Replace woollen fabrics with cotton

Heavy coats with light sweaters

We should beware

“Le fond de l’air est frais”

Translated literally as

“The bottom of the air is cool”

What? That makes no sense!

But it does.

That initial warmth you feel

Has a bite to it that sneaks in

Reminding you, April is a fickle month

Enjoying Spring

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Dale | 37 Comments

There may still be little mounds of snow ~ but only in places where it was piled to clear out parking lots. The rest is GONE! Woot! We’ve been hitting temps in the double-digits – positive double digits. It’s amazing to see the difference in attitudes. Oh, I almost always get a “bonjour” in return to my “bonjour” but now it is almost always accompanied by a big smile. And even though we don’t want to talk about the weather, it had been such a painfully cold and miserable winter that we cannot help but rejoice that spring has finally sprung!

In two different walks, Zeke and I came upon a few flowers making their appearance…

Tulip shoots

Mini yellow Iris

Purple Crocus

There were spaces to run around

Oh? There is water under my feet? Really?

We then went to our river, the hidden part, and enjoyed the shadows and played “Hide and Seek”

Shadows

You can’t see me

What? I look wet? I don’t understand!

You can’t see me, can you?

I’m just having a drink of water!

If I run around, crazy-like, I’ll dry off!

See? Not that bad, right?

Spring is to be enjoyed…even if it means extra vacuuming for me!

Haiku – en français and in English

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Dale | 26 Comments

It is getting ridiculous! I walk the dog and find myself, fingers muffled by mittens, counting out five – seven – five! Not only in English but in French! What have you done to me, Sarah Potter? I admit that I was warned that haikus could become addictive.

‘Tis true! For goodness sakes, I even have one prepared for when spring arrives, for real, in my neck of the woods. Yes, the calendar says it’s Spring but frankly, when the mercury is hovering around the -20ºC mark, I find it a tad difficult to get into the mood, if you know what I mean. No, you folk in the UK and southern States have no clue what I’m talking about but those of you in the north-eastern States and Quebec (obviously) and definitely in the Maritimes, know of what I speak. There are no crocuses popping up, nor rhubarb, nor buds of any kind to be seen. Vast expanses of snow? Plenty of that!

So, rather than stay indoors, in the warmth of my house, I trekked outside with Zeke, dressed like an Inuit and traipsed about my town, snapping pictures, capturing anything that took my fancy. Frankly, it was a most gorgeous day today: the blue sky, the few fluffy clouds, the crisp air ~ might as well enjoy it, eh? I was feeling particularly happy and peaceful, a true sense of life is good. Can’t explain it. And don’t for a second think I am NOT looking forward to ditching the boots, mitts, scarves and other winter paraphernalia! Bring on da flip-flops! Till then, enjoy my attempts at both French and English haiku today…

Skating rink is closed
No more skating for children
Spring is on its way

A Haiku For Monday

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Dale | 14 Comments

Cold weather and cooking jobs have kept me from my usual walks about my town. This morning I decided it was necessary and would probably help me be more productive in the end!

Decided to have fun with it!

No Really, Spring IS Here!

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Dale | 4 Comments

All week I’ve been meaning to post. I just didn’t seem to be able to get my thoughts in any order. First about my official birthday and turning 50 on Monday and how I felt oh-so-blessed that the temperature reached a high of 22°C (72°F). The sun never really showed its face but we didn’t care (OK, I didn’t care!) Light jacket and running shoes! Woot!

Foggy morn

Raindrops

On Tuesday, the day started off rather cool-ish (though warm if we go by the previous week!) at 7°C (45°F) and got colder and windier as we walked!

After seeing proof that yes, there are buds growing, we set off. I worried a bit… there were definite signs of rain in the sky. We’re not wimps so we set off!

Sky looks good

A tad breezy

Looking ominous

As we went on, the sky got darker and darker and by the time we turned the corner to our home, the first drops fell. Great timing!

Once home, I downloaded my pictures and the snow began! Really? Really? Mother Nature, you really need to give us a break this year! While downloading, I could hear this really weird spring-like sound. (Imagine a cartoon and you hear the “SPROING!”) What the hay? It was a bird! Every time he (she?) sang, the whole body would puff up! So cool to be able to capture that with my zoom (thanks again, Mick!)

Woke up on Wednesday to white stuff on the ground. Sigh…. Only Zeke was happy!

Well, no, that’s not true. The birds were out in full force and I managed to capture these two lovers!

By Thursday, the temperature was up again and I could once more wear my running shoes (as long as I was careful where I stepped). We turned the corner to our street and a squirrel was making such a ruckus!

It was a glorious day, the sun was shining, the birds singing, flowers are growing – not yet full blooms, but I did see colour – I was in no hurry at all. Zeke and I walked around for two hours! You’d think I’d have busted my 10K steps big time, no? No. I did make it but we were definitely on a stroll and shoot pace.